NCC backs telcos, urges government to recognise N145 p/m RoW

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has defended telecoms companies over the NGN 145 per square metre right-of-way tax, urging tiers of government to abide by the harmonised rate.

Recall that the NCC representing the Federal Government and the 36 states of the federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory Administration recently agreed on harmonised Right of Way charges across the country,

Prof. Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the NCC, said that the National Economic Council’s (NEC) harmonisation of the N145 right-of-way tax has been approved and is applicable across Nigeria.

The right-of-way tax agreement was sealed at the National Economic Council meeting chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo with state governors in attendance.

Danbatta, said the rate set out in the NEC report states that N145 per metre should be charged for deployment of information and communication infrastructure in any part of the country.

Danbatta said that the harmonised rate is not respected by unnamed state and local governments in the country.

According to the NCC boss, the N145 charge is different from any repairs that may occur in the process of deploying the fibre itself, adding that the cost will have to be borne by the infrastructure companies in addition to the rate.

Danbatta said that NCC has received complaints from telecoms companies that they have been charged huge amounts ranging from N5,000 to N8,000.

Danbatta said access gaps deprive 40 million from getting quality telecommunications services, which cause communication divide in the country.

Danbatta said the Federal Government recently established the Industrial Policy the VP’s Office with NCC to ensure the addition of 18,000km of fibre that will in turn raise the broadband penetration to 20 percent by the year 2020.